Embracing the Future: California's Shift Away from Fluorescent Lamps by 2025
California begins the process of phasing out fluorescent lamps, with a complete ban on their sale and distribution set to be enforced by 2025. Fluorescent lamps, though widely used in the past due to their relatively low cost, have several drawbacks that have become increasingly apparent over time.
Key dates:
- Standard screw or bayonet CFLs are prohibited beginning January 1, 2024
- Linear fluorescent (“tube”) lamps and PIN-based CFLs are banned beginning January 1, 2025
Recycling Fluorescent Lamps and Tubes: What You Need to Know
How does a Fluorescent lamp work? Fluorescent lamps are “gaseous discharge” light sources. Light is produced by passing an electric arc between tungsten cathodes in a tube filled with a low pressure mercury vapor and other gases. The arc excites the mercury vapor which generates radiant energy, primarily in the ultraviolet range. Fluorescent light bulbs use mercury to create the white light that we see. While mercury is a very effective light bulb material, it is also incredibly toxic and can cause mercury poisoning if the bulb breaks. In order to learn more about this issue and what you can...